November travel guide to autumn's best sights, flavors and events

Before you know it, November has arrived, and autumn is at its best in Suzhou. We have prepared a travel checklist to help you make the most of the season in the city.

What's New

Upgraded Canal Cruise

Photo/WeChat ID: szgsfb

Unlike the traditional sightseeing boat, the "Jundao Gusu" cruise is a floating theater. It features an immersive performance, transforming a simple boat ride into a multisensory journey. The 15-minute ride starts from Bai Juyi Wharf白居易码头 and ends at Xinshiqiao Wharf新市桥码头.

New Additions at Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory

Photo/Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory

The former factory canteen苏州第一丝厂文化产业园区 has been renovated and is now open to the public. A group of new stores have moved in, including tea and coffee shops, silk studios and home lifestyle brands.

Scenic Spot Events

Autumn Insects Exhibition

Held inside the halls of the Humble Administrator's Garden, the exhibition recreates the traditional pastime of listening to insects in autumn.

When: Through Nov. 18

Where: Humble Administrator's Garden

2026 China Miniature Potted Landscape Exhibition

The Humble Administrator's Garden will host an exhibition showcasing various schools of Chinese potted landscape.

When: Nov. 28 to Dec. 6

Where: Humble Administrator's Garden

Tiger Hill and Castle Howard Exchange Exhibition

Photographs of Castle Howard are presented against the white walls and dark tiles at Tiger Hill, creating an obvious contrast between Chinese and Western gardens.

When: Through Nov. 25

Where: Tiger Hill

Butchart Gardens and Lion Grove Garden Art Exhibition

Using stone and flowers as its central themes, this exhibition explores the contrasting garden-making traditions of the Lion Grove Garden and Canada's Butchart Gardens.

When: Through Nov. 15

Where: Lion Grove Garden

2026 Autumn Ornamental Fruit Potted Landscape Exhibition

Photo/WeChat ID: suzhou-yllh

The exhibition features potted landscape works from places including Zaozhuang in Shandong Province, Taizhou in Zhejiang Province and Chengdu in Sichuan Province.

When: Through Nov. 14

Where: Lingering Garden

2026 Shangfang Mountain Autumn Flower Show

Photo/WeChat ID: suzhou-yllh

Chrysanthemums are the stars of this year's flower show, with more than 700 varieties on display.More

When: Through Nov. 18

Where: Shangfang Mountain National Forest Park

The 33rd Tianping Mountain Red Maple Season

The maple leaves on Tianping Mountain are beginning to turn red. By mid-November, the mountain will be ablaze with the colors of autumn.

When: Through Dec. 13

Where: Tianping Mountain

Flower Appreciation

Persimmon

When: Till mid-November

Where: Humble Administrator's Garden拙政园, Lingering Garden留园, Yiyuan Garden怡园, Garden of Cultivation艺圃, Daoqian Street道前街, Beisita Metro Station北寺塔[地铁站]

Ginkgo

When: Mid-November to early December

Where: Daoqian Street道前街, Fenghuang Street凤凰街, Linquan Street林泉街, Tiger Hill虎丘山风景名胜区, Lingering Garden留园, Lion Grove Garden狮子林景区, Humble Administrator's Garden拙政园, Yiyuan Garden怡园, Dinghui Temple定慧寺, Beisi Pagoda北寺塔, Xiyuan Temple苏州市西园戒幢律寺, Taiping Temple太平禅寺, Baosheng Temple甪直镇风景区-保圣寺, Zijin Temple东山景区-紫金庵, Lingxia Village岭下村, Yangwan Village东山景区-杨湾古村, Tinglin Garden亭林园

Red Maple

When: Mid-November to early December

Where: Tianping Mountain苏州天平山风景名胜区, Wangshan Mountain旺山景区, Yushan Mountain虞山国家森林公园, Qionglong Mountain穹窿山, Jinji Lake Red Maple Grove金鸡湖红枫林, Putian Organic Ecological Agricultural Park浦田有机生态农业园, Fengqiao Road枫桥路

Reed Flower

When: Early November to late November

Where: No. 1 Road Around Taihu Lake环太湖一号公路牌, Shajiabang Scenic Area沙家浜风景区

Seasonal Delicacies

Hairy Crab

Where: Restaurants around Yangcheng Lake

Sugar-Roasted Chestnut

Where: Xiaoliwang小栗王(十全街店), A'nan Yeliwang阿男野栗王(金门路店), Jinliwang金栗王(十全街店), Xueji Roasted Goods薛记炒货(尹山湖店)

Taro

Where: Xiangxin Eatery姑苏区祥鑫饮食店(十全街店), Chengqiang Eatery承强饮食店(干将西路店), Dududu笃笃笃糖粥(十全街店), Xiangmenli Teahouse相门里茶馆

Braised Pork

Where: Old Suzhou Restaurant老苏州茶酒楼·江南文化·苏州菜, Xiehe Restaurant协和菜馆(凤凰街店), Laochenjia老陈家(狮林寺巷店)

Mutton

Where: Cangshu Town藏书镇羊肉城, Dongshan Town东山镇, Zhenze Town震泽镇

Sporting Events

2026 Jiangsu Basketball City League

Suzhou vs. Nanjing

When: Nov. 7

Where: Gymnasium of Suzhou Sports Center

Suzhou vs. Changzhou

When: Nov. 20

Where: Gymnasium of Suzhou Sports Center

2026 ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors (J100) Zhangjiagang

2025 edition. Photo/WeChat ID: zjgwtgl

When: Through Nov. 8

Where: China Tennis Academy Zhangjiagang Campus

2026 Suzhou 100 Urban Trail Race

Photo/WeChat ID: gh_dc8cfac01aa5

When: Nov. 21 and 22

Where: Suzhou New District, Wuzhong District

Source: Suzhou Tourist Information Center